Dying needlessly

Deprivation increases risk of avoidable death

THE poorest people in England and Wales are far more likely to die from avoidable causes than the richest.

In 2018, 71,310 people across the two countries died from causes that were considered avoidable meaning they could have been prevented by public health interventions, or through effective and timely healthcare.

They include deaths from various types of cancer, heart disease, alcohol, drugs, and childbirth complications - as well as accidents, suicides and murders.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the rate of these deaths is much higher for people living in the most deprived areas compared to those living in the most affluent neighborhoods.

In England, there were 553 avoidable deaths for every 100,000 men living in the most deprived parts of the country - nearly four times as many as the 153 per 100,000 living in the richest areas.

The gap was similar in Wales, with 645 deaths for every 100,000 men of the most deprived areas, compared to 176 for every 100,000 of the most affluent.

There is also a significant disparity in women.

In England, women living in the most deprived areas saw 347 avoidable deaths for every 100,000, falling to 102 per 100,000 women living in the least deprived areas.

Similarly, in Wales, there were 371 for every 100,000 of the poorest women compared to 102 for every 100,000 of the richest.

Commenting on the figures, Sara Willcocks, head of communications at Turn2us, said: "Avoidable deaths are exactly that; avoidable. It often comes down to not having the financial strength to eat properly, or keep up with the cost of living.

“Where deaths of homeless people are considered, it also comes down to poorly funded local councils lacking the resources to keep people off the streets and into adequate accommodation.

“This is why avoidable deaths are three times higher in the most deprived parts of the UK; where both people and councils lack enough income.

"It is very likely that we will see the inequalities that already exist considerably exacerbated by the coronavirus - resulting in more avoidable deaths for people on low incomes.”

Overall, in England the rate of avoidable deaths has been falling, and the gap between the most and least deprived areas was smaller in 2018 than it was in 2001.

However, in Wales the rate of avoidable deaths has been increasing for the last five years, particularly for those living in the most deprived areas - meaning the gap has widened.